Betel-nut cutters are used to slice and peel shavings from the hard areca nut. Over the years the areca nut has become known as the betel-nut because it is the main ingredient of the ‘quid’ formed by folding a betel leaf around a variety of ingredients. People chew the quid to release the flavours inside and it acts as a stimulant.

Preparation of a quid requires care and attention and used to be a skill associated with courtly women. Items used in the preparation process, such as betel-nut cutters, were beautifully crafted and valued instruments. This cutter is from South India where they often incorporated human forms into their designs, such as embracing lovers or a mother and child.